Discipline: Earth Science (Geology) Degree Credit  [X]
Non Credit  [ ]
Nondegree Credit  [ ]
Comm Service  [ ]
 

Riverside Community College District
Integrated Course Outline of Record

Geology 1L


COURSE DESCRIPTION
1L Physical Geology Laboratory Units: 1.00
 
Prerequisite(s): GEO 1: Physical Geology or

Advisory: PREREQUISITE: Concurrent or previous enrollment in GEO 1A
The course is a laboratory course designed to acquaint students with the concepts presented in Physical Geology (GEO-1). Topics studied included, but not limited, to topographic and geologic map reading, earthquake analysis, physical properties and identification of minerals, and the study of rocks. Total of 54 hours laboratory.
 
SHORT DESCRIPTION FOR CLASS SCHEDULE
A laboratory course designed to acquaint students with map reading, earthquake analysis, and with the properties and identification of minerals and rocks.
 
ADVISORY ENTRY SKILLS
None.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

Identify rock and mineral specimens and describe how they are formed.

Analyze topographic maps to determine what geologic features are expressed and the features they exhibit.

Construct cross-sections and deduce the physiographic features they represent.

Identify geologic structures in 3-dimentional diagrams and be able to construct same.

Analyze earthquake data and determine the size and location of an earthquake event.
 
COURSE CONTENT
  TOPICS
 
  1. Plate tectonics
  2. Mineral identification and description.
  3. Identification and description of igneous rock types.
  4. Identification and description of sedimentary rock types.
  5. Identification and description of metamorphic rock types.
  6. Development, history and utility of geologic time scale.
  7. Geologic structures and the tectonic forces deforming earth's crust, the nature of the deforming forces and types of folds, faults, joints and other features.
  8. Earthquakes, their causes, hazards and the methods used to locate and measure them.
 
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
 Methods of instruction used to achieve student learning outcomes may include, but are not limited to:

  • Introduce and explain laboratory exercises and provide help to individuals and groups to help them achieve the goals of the laboratory exercise. 
  • Present class lectures to describe the processes and features of the topics outlined above.
  • Use PowerPoint presentations (or slides) to enhance points made in the lecture and to illustrate a variety of chemical and mathematical relationships within such topics as igneous and metamorphic rocks, geologic time, rivers, glaciers, mass wasting, etc.
  • Show videos in order to illustrate geologic events in real time, as well as to demonstrate events (modeled) through geologic history, which are not directly observable.  In addition, videos will provide the students with an opportunity to see what experts in various fields have to say about a variety of the topics outlined above.
  • Assign web-based activities such as visiting the United States Geological Survey web site, Cascades Volcano Observatory web site, and other geologically oriented sites in order for students to see real-time monitoring of geological activity and examine advances in planetary geology such as the exploration of Mars.
 
METHODS OF EVALUATION
 Students will be evaluated for progress in and/or mastery of learning outcomes by methods of evaluation which may include, but are not limited to:

  • Laboratory work will be collected and evaluated for accuracy and completeness.
  • Examinations and quizzes will be given which are designed to determine the students comprehension of materials presented in class.  Exams may include laboratory practicums as well as essay and short answer, fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice, true and false, matching, and draw-and-label the diagram questions.
  • Written reports may be assigned which are designed to allow the students to explore specific geology topics in greater depth.  Completion of the reports will expose students to a greater breadth of information and will demonstrate to the instructor whether or not the students are able to utilize the materials covered in class to gain a broader understanding of a topic explored on their own
  • Class and individual projects designed to help the students understand geological concepts may also be assigned.  The completeness and correctness of these assignments will provide a measure of the level of understanding each student has achieved and if the students are indeed moving toward the student learning outcomes
  • A final examination designed to determine the level of proficiency each student has achieved in the aggregate of all topics presented during the course.  This will also aid the instructor in adjusting the lesson plan or emphasis in future classes to ensure students are achieving the student learning outcomes as outlined above
ASSIGNMENTS

Required Reading Assignments


Required Writing Assignments


Other Outside-of-Class Assignments
 
COURSE MATERIALS
 All materials used in this course will be periodically reviewed to ensure that they are appropriate for college level instruction. Possible texts include:

  • Tarbuck and Lutgens. Earth, An Introduction to Physical Geology. 5 ed. any: Prentice Hall , 0.
  • Physical laboratory exercises written by James M. Mehegan, Ph.D
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